Abraxas goes back-to-back at the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Abraxas, dismissed as the 7-2 fourth choice despite his victory over the best on the grounds last week, probably converted a few of the skeptics on Monday at The Meadows when he charged through the lane to capture the $25,000 Preferred Pace.

Sitting fourth down the backside, Abraxas and Rodney Bolon worked out a second-over trip behind War Boots. When that rival faltered, Abraxas moved wide to score in 1:53.4 in the slop. Tarver Hanover, who raced gamely on the front end over the tiring surface, was a length back in second, with Martys Charm third.

Jeff Fife trains Abraxas, a 5-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again-Dandy Dana, for Ed Moritz. Abraxas has finished first or second in seven consecutive starts.

Elsewhere on the card, Dave Palone achieved a milestone when he drove Pocket Driver N to victory in the 11th race. The winner’s share, $7,500, sent Palone over $9 million in 2008 purses, a personal best.

— Evan Pattak

Karpathos gets the call in top Pompano trot

Pompano Beach, FL — Karpathos ($17.40), named for the famous Greek island, rewarded his backers at odds of 7-1 in capturing the $16,000 Open Trot on Monday at the Isle Pompano Park.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

Karpathos (#5) holds off Guy Gets Girl (#2) to win the Open Trot in 1:56.3.

The fifth race feature saw Karpathos and driver Denis St. Pierre outduel K M Sweet Dreams (Joe Pavia, Jr.) and Carrie’s Credit (Anthony Napolitano) for the early lead to the opening quarter in :27.3.

It was then that Gale Warning, seeking his third straight win in the top trot, came first over for driver Wally Hennessey, pressuring Karpathos to the half-mile marker in :57.3 and then clearing to the lead.

Down the backstretch Gale Warning led the field as Carie’s Credit started advancing on the outside with Guy Gets Girl (Bruce Ranger) following the flow second over to the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Then on the final turn, St. Pierre pulled from the pocket with Karpathos to challenge Gale Warning. As they started down the stretch, Gale Warning went off-stride and Karpathos was able to hold his lead through the wire to win by a half-length in 1:56.3 over Guy Gets Girl with Catamount N (Dan Clements) closing for third place.

Owned and trained by Geoff Howles, it was the eighth win this year for Karpathos, a 7-year-old gelding by Balanced Image.

— Steve Wolf

Dobson, Stratton in Monticello spotlight

Monticello, NY — No it wasn’t another head-to-head driving contest at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon, but newcomer Billy Dobson and the track’s leading driver Jordan Stratton didn’t leave much for the other guys. On the cool crisp afternoon, of the 13 races carded, Dobson won five and Stratton won four.

Dobson drew first blood when he won the first race with Carole and James LaGarde’s Kattina Eyes ($8.00) in 2:00.3. Stratton then won the second with Vincent Grippa’s trotter Numberonefan ($3.20) in 2:04.2.

Dobson scored again in the fourth with Simeon Hunsdon’s trotter Sams Good Friday ($4.90) in 2:05.2 and then he won the fifth behind Jeff Mulcahy and George Tackley’s Awaring Ledew ($5.00) in 2:00.

It was Dobson again in the eighth, reining Eddie Reich’s Julia’s Girl ($4.40) to a 2:00.2 triumph and then Stratton took over again. He won three consecutive races, the eighth with Ken Clairmont and Lucia Ann Les’ Miss McIvor N ($5.50) in 1:58.2, the ninth behind Elwood Davidson’s Destiny Dream ($3.20) in 2:01 and then wrapped up his afternoon with a 2:01 trotting victory with Genesis Royal Oak ($4.30), owned by Jennifer Lappe.

Dobson registered his fifth victory on the card with Jeffrey and Frank Calcagni’s Jeffrey’s Girl ($11.60) in 2:00.1.

Just a week ago, Dobson, 24, won six races on a race program here and now has 24 since coming east from Michigan with just his colors and gloves. Stratton, 21, who won four races on the card at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday night, just keeps cruising along atop the Monticello Raceway leaderboard with 334 driving victories.

— John Manzi

A ‘Proud Moment’ for Krivelin in Billings

Chester, PA — Within 90 minutes of Just Listed breaking the Harrah’s Chester track record for trotters at a mile and a quarter with a 2:33.4 performance, Proud Moment ($26.80) turned in a 2:33 effort for Bob Krivelin, taking the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series Eastern Regional Final on Monday afternoon.

Entering the event a maiden, Proud Moment protected pylon position entering the first turn, securing the lead from Stormont Wok (David Drew), Double Strength (David Offenberg), and CR Mr Bean (Steve Markoff), who also showed gate speed. Stormont Wok, favored at 11-5, stayed up close to Proud Moment throughout, pressing the leader past a quarter of :30.3 before stalling a bit.

Perfect Gerry (George Casale), the 36-1 longest shot on the board, tracked Proud Moment’s every step through intermediate fractions of 1:00.2 and 1:31.2, gaining room to vacate the pocket as Stormont Wok faded.

Approaching the head of the stretch, Proud Moment kicked clear, holding the lead in deep stretch despite pursuit from Perfect Gerry, who finished second. Yankee Slugfest (Anthony Verruso) stalked the leaders throughout to finish third, with Double Strength overcoming a tough trip to finish fourth.

The Eastern Regional Consolation went to Just Listed and Gerry Fielding, who sat well off dueling Over The Wire (Bob Hechkoff) and CJ’s Not A Clue (Harry Pozefsky) before sweeping three-wide to the front under minimal urging. CJ’s Not A Clue held second, with Stillbrook (David Yarock) closing to finish third. Over The Wire was worn down by the speed duel, fading to fourth.

The 2008 C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series season concludes on December 6, with the Delvin Miller Gold Cup Final at the Meadowlands.

— James Witherite-Rieg